HOSEA GODS REDEEMING LOVE HOSEA GODS REDEEMING LOVE

HOSEA: GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE

HOSEA: GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE • Who was Hosea? • A prophet, son of Beeri, the husband of Gomer. • He prophesied during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah and the days of Jeroboam II, and Joash, in Israel. • Other prophets of this period included Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. He and Micah taught in Israel while Isaiah and Amos spoke to Judah. 750 -725 B. C.

HOSEA’S FAMILY • Gomer bears three children - Hos 1: 4 -9 a. The first son is named "Jezreel" 1) Which means "God scatters", or "God sows" 2) His name prefigured God's judgment on the ruling house of Israel - Hos 1: 4 -5 b. The daughter is named "Lo. Ruhamah" 1) Which means "no mercy" 2) Her name describes God's attitude toward Israel, though Judah still found grace in God's sight - Hos 1: 6 -7 3) Some suggest that the daughter (and the son to follow) were not Hosea's a) Note it does not say she bore "him" (Hosea) a daughter, as before b) I. e. , Gomer had become a harlot - cf. Hos 2: 4 c. The second son is named "Lo-Ammi" 1) His name means "not my people" 2) Thus God declares his rejection of Israel - Hos 1: 8 -9

THE MESSAGE OF HOPE • Though Israel was unfaithful and would end up in destruction and captivity there would be salvation in the future for those coming to Christ and His church (Hosea 1: 10; Rom. 9: 2526; 1 Peter 2: 10).

THE MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE • God would not accept them in adultery, but in “righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness” (Hosea 2: 19 -20). • The adulterer (Israel) would spend many days without king or prince, but would find the Messiah in the future (Hosea 3: 4 -5; 5: 15)

THE MESSAGE OF JUDGMENT • God would not accept “swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery (Hos. 4: 2). • This occurred because they lacked truth, mercy, and a knowledge of God (Hosea 4: 1). • Those rejecting knowledge will be rejected by God (Hosea 4: 6). • God would punish people and priest alike (Hosea 4: 9).

GOD’S MESSAGE CONTINUES • God desired mercy not sacrifice (Hosea. 6: 6). • They sow the wind, but reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8: 7). • God will cast Israel away due to disobedience (Hosea 9: 17). • They called upon God but did not exalt Him (Hosea 11: 7). They were backsliders! • The plea: return to God (Hosea 14: 1).